Releasing device for motion-picture-film reels



E. M. CHASE.

RELEASING DEVICE FOR MOTION PICTURE FILM HEELS.

APPLlCAIlON FILED 1AN.H, I921.

Patented Aug: 9, 192K.

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To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, ELIJAH M. CHAsn, a,

citizen of the United States, residing at Cheyenne, in the county ofLaramie and State of Wyoming, have invented certaln new and usefulImprovements in Releasing Devices for Motion-Picture-Film Heels; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in motion picturefilm reels and more particularly to a device for actuating the usualcatch member secured to the hub of a motion picture reel for retainingthe film in position upon the hub when being wound u on or unwoundtherefrom, the mam object 0 the present invention being the provision ofa device attached to the hub of a motion picture reel whereby the usualspring catch member which is secured to the hub of the reel between theflanges can be readily actuated from the exterior of the reel to releasethe end of the film which is engaged beneath the end of the springmember or to raise the spring member so that the end of the film can bereadily inserted beneath the end of the spring for retaining the same inposition while the film is being wound upon the reel. 7

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an actuatingdevice which can be readily attached to a hub of a motion icture reeland provided with means where-' by the same can be readily actuated bythe operator from the outside of the reel so that the usual springmember carried by the hub of a moving picture reel can be readilyactuated to release or engage the end of a moving icture film.

ith the above and other objects in view 7 the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and shown inthe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a moving picture film reel illustratingmy improved device attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the reel;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view;

Fi 4 is a top plan view of the actuating mem er central portion securedto the Specification of Eettere Patent. Patented Aug 9, 11921Application filed January 11, real. eemlno. tantra.

Fig. 5 1s a side elevation of the, actuating member; Fig. 6 is'a 1nmember;

ig. 7 1s a side elevatio taming member.

Referring drawmgs, the numeral 1 indicates the usual hruclli gee-10m? 3moving picture film reel a e s1 e an es which wiardly from the hubprolect out e to retain the film in osition u on the hub. In the generalcon truction it these movmg picture reels, suitable means is arrangedupon the hub for retaining the end of a film 1n posltion while the filmis being wound upon the reel. This device generally conslsts of a fiatspring member, having its I hub 1 by means of aleaf spring 3 or anyother suitable fastem ng device, each end of the spring member bemg bentupwardly adjacent the of the spring renow more particularly to the 1 andwhich are adaptsecuring point as shown at 4: so that the trated in Fig.3. Therefore when it is des1red to wind a film upon a reel, the end ofthe film 1s engaged beneath one end of the spring member to retain theend in position while the film is being wound, this operation generallynecessitating the insertion of the hand of the operator between theflanges 2 to raise one of the ends 5 of the spring memher so that theend of the film can be readily inserted beneath this end.

in order that the ends of the spring retaming member can be readilyactuated'to engage the end of a film beneath the same or remove the filmtherefrom, ll provide a transverse rod 6, 'the ends of which are mountedwithin suitable openings 8 formed in the end walls of the hub 1 andextending in opposite directions from the center of the rod 6 are thecurved arms 9, the ends of which are adapted to be projected throughsuitable openings 10 in the huh I to engage the ends of the springretaining member and remove from yielding engagement with the hub 1 sothat the end of a film may be readily inserted between the ends 5 orremoved therefrom.

In order that the rod 6 may be readily actuated from the exterior of.the film reel, the ends of the same are bent at right angles to the bodyof the rod to form suitable handles 11 which can be readily grasped bythe operator to rotate the rod 6 and actuate the ends 5 of the springmember. From this it will be apparent that the operator can readilyraise the ends 5 of the spring member for inserting the end of the filmbeneath the same and for releasing the end of the film.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings it will be readily apparent that I have provided a simple anddurable device adapted to be attached to the hub portion of a motionpicture reel for actuating the usual spring retaining means which isused for retaining the end of a moving picture film in position upon thehub of the reel, and it will also be apparent that this device can beattached w1th very little trouble and at small expense to the well knownmoving picture reels in use at the present time and with the use of thisdevice the film can be more quickly attached or released from the hub ofthe reel as it does away with the necessity of the operator insertinghis hand between the flanged portions of the reel to actuate the springengaging member.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described including a spring member secured atits central portion to the periphery of a moving picture reel hub, saidspring having upwardly bent portions adjacen t its center whereby theends of the spring will normally engage the periphery of the hub, a rodextending through the 'hub, curved arms carried by the rod and extendingfrom opposite directions, and means for rotatingsaid rod whereby theends of said arms will be projected through openings in the hub toengage the ends of the spring and remove them from engagement with theperiphery of the hub.

2. A device of the class described including the hub of a moving picturereel, a spring member secured at its central portion to the periphery ofthe hub and bent upwardly upon opposite sides of its center whereby tonormally engage the ends thereof with the periphery of the hub, said hubbeing provided with openings beneath the ends of the springs, atransverse rod mounted within the hub in line with the securing point ofthe spring, arcuate arms projecting from opposite sides of the rod, andmeans connected with the rod and arranged upon the exterior of the hubwhereby to manually operate the rod and project the ends of said armsthrough the openings in the hub to engage the ends of the spring andremove them from the periphery of the hub.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ELIJAI-I M. CHASE.

